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THE recent withdrawal of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition is a familiar and worn political strategy aimed at securing voter support, said UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid characterised the move as a deliberate tactic by the two parties to contest under their own banners in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), only to reunite post-election in an attempt to form the state government.
“In my view, when STAR and SAPP leave GRS, it is a vertical tactic to allow them to contest using their own logos,” Zahid told reporters on Sunday. “They will likely rejoin forces after the election to form the state government. But I want to tell Sabah voters that this is an old tactic – and I believe the people of Sabah are wise enough to reject it.”
He made the remarks at a press conference following the launch of the Johor-level Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (YPM) Squad at the Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium. Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and MARA Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Zahid also reaffirmed that Barisan Nasional (BN) will maintain its current position of cooperating solely with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in facing the state election, in line with the coalition’s policy.
ASEAN Leaders United in Inviting Trump
The decision to invite former United States President Donald Trump to the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit was reached unanimously by all ten ASEAN member states and not unilaterally by Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi clarified.
“This is not a decision made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as ASEAN Chair,” Zahid said at the same press conference. “It was a collective resolution by all ASEAN leaders to engage with our dialogue partners, including the United States.”
Zahid stressed that Malaysia’s position on the Gaza humanitarian crisis remains firm and uncompromised, despite the decision to include Trump in the regional meeting.
“This does not mean we are shifting our position on Gaza or bowing to US influence,” he said. “Our stance remains the same. As Chair, Malaysia must respect the consensus of all ASEAN members.”
The summit, set to welcome Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s eleventh member, will also see participation from key dialogue partners such as the US, China and Japan. Zahid noted that this format follows ASEAN’s past engagement practices, such as the previous summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Asked whether Trump’s attendance would be debated in Parliament, Zahid, who also serves as Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said it was likely.
“Yes, some Members of Parliament may raise the matter, and they are free to do so,” he said. “However, we must acknowledge that the decision was made collectively by ASEAN, not unilaterally by Malaysia.” - October 5, 2025